Medical emergencies in the dental school setting

Abstract

An aging population with an increasing chronic disease burden may make management of medical emergencies in dental practice more common. Previous research has differed significantly in the reported frequency of medical emergencies in a dental setting, often relying on survey-based protocols. This study examines the incidence and type of emergencies encountered in a dental school setting. Additional examination of contributing medical co-morbidities is provided. A retrospective study was designed to review 121 incident reports at the Ohio State University College of Dentistry (OSU CoD) from July 1, 2013 to January 24, 2019. Sixty-five of the recorded events were classified as medical emergencies and were further analyzed. The most common emergency encountered was syncope, followed by cardiac events, seizures, and diabetic complications. Emergencies most commonly occurred in the pre-doctoral general dentistry clinics. Many of the affected patients had no significant medical history. Identifying emergencies most encountered by dentists is critical for process improvement, awareness, and targeted educational initiatives. This may reduce the frequency of medical emergencies in dental practices and allow for more efficient management should they occur.